Connacht Advance in Parker Pen

Connacht have qualified for a quarter final spot of the Parker Pen Challenge Cup on aggregate, even though they lost to Pau on Saturday 10-6. The final score on aggregate after 2 games was 35-17.

Connacht have qualified for a quarter final spot of the Parker Pen Challenge Cup on aggregate, even though they lost to Pau on Saturday 10-6. The final score on aggregate after 2 games was 35-17.

Eric Elwood scored all Connacht's 6 points with two penalty goals in atrocious conditions, and despite two second-half tries to Pau, the Irish province was never in danger of missing out on a place in the next round.

France international Damien Traille and winger Rida Jaouher scored second-half tries to give Pau the victory, but the result was academic.

London Irish's exploits in Europe ended as Narbonne took them apart 29-10 at Parc des Sports et de l'Amitie. Narbonne took an early 12-0 lead in the tie

with fly-half Cedric Rosalen slotting three penalty goals and a dropped goal to wipe out the Exiles' seven-point advantage from their 20-13 first-leg victory.

There was more woe for Irish when winger Julien Candelon crossed for the first try of the game - his second against the Exiles in a week - and the deadly Rosalen's conversion gave the home side a 12-point lead overall. Back-rower Frederic Martinez added a second try for Narbonne, Rosalen again converting, while all the visitors could manage was a Mark Mapletoft penalty goal as the home side took a daunting 26-3 lead into the half-time break.

Beziers earned a quarter-final meeting with Bath after a 24-8 victory over Grenoble.

The countdown is on to the Women's Sevens Dublin tournament in UCD on August 22-23. Anthony Eddy, IRFU Director of Rugby Sevens & Women's Rugby, previews what promises to be an exciting couple of days.

Tickets for the tournament start at 5 euro, with children free, and are available to buy here - http://www.ticketmaster.ie/Womens-Sevens-Series-tickets/artist/2134381?tm_link=artist_artistvenue_module.

Jenny Murphy talks about the progress made by the Ireland Women's Sevens team and their pool draw for the upcoming Women's Sevens Dublin tournament in UCD on August 22-23.

Tickets for the tournament start at 5 euro, with children free, and are available to buy here - http://www.ticketmaster.ie/Womens-Sevens-Series-tickets/artist/2134381?tm_link=artist_artistvenue_module.

Conor Murray and Tommy Bowe speak to Irish Rugby TV about their Rugby World Cup preparations and thank the thousands of supporters who came out to see the players at the open training session at the Sportsground.

Ireland captain Paul O'Connell gives his verdict on the team's new Rugby World Cup jersey and talks about his move to French club Toulon. Ireland's RWC 2015 range is available to pre-order now from http://shop.irishrugby.ie.

Anthony Eddy, IRFU Director of Rugby Sevens, talks about the target of a top three finish for both the Ireland Men and Women in Lisbon this weekend, as they continue on their quests for Olympic qualification.

Tom Daly, who recently captained the Ireland Men's Sevens team to the European Division C and B titles, is looking forward to playing in this weekend's Rugby Europe Olympic Repechage tournament in Lisbon, Portugal.

Ireland will host the 'Women's Sevens Dublin' at UCD on Saturday, August 22 and Sunday, August 23. Tournament director Garrett Tubridy and Ireland stars Lucy Mulhall, Jenny Murphy and Louise Galvin speak about their excitement ahead of the World Rugby Women's Sevens Series qualifier.

Coach Allen Clarke and stand-in captain Billy Holland answer questions from the media following Emerging Ireland's 45-12 victory over Georgia in the final round of their successful Tbilisi Cup campaign.

Emerging Ireland coach Allen Clarke speaks about his side's five-try 33-7 win over Uruguay in the Tbilisi Cup and the first half injury to captain Rhys Ruddock. They wrap up the tournament against hosts Georgia on Sunday.

Speaking about the floods that occurred following the Tbilisi Cup's first round, Emerging Ireland team manager Joey Miles said: "A natural event like that, a tragedy like that puts the game of rugby into perspective. We express our regrets to the Georgian people and the Georgian Union for the terrible tragedy that they had."

David O'Reilly from the IRFU Charitable Trust's Corporate Patrons Committee speaks about the new scheme which provides businesses with unique networking opportunities and provides a platform for companies to effectively activate their CSR programmes. For further information, please contact Linda Black of the Charitable Trust - telephone (01) 6473866 or email: linda.black@irfu.ie / http://www.irishrugby.ie/news/34728.php.